New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-15
DJFFERENCE BE TWEEN PARTIES.

DIFFERENCE BEIUEEN PAR1IES.
Thousands of young men arc asking the
question put by correspondent in the follow
ing letter:
To the RAZOR OF Thc Trtbune
SIR VIII you please inform me what is the difference
between a Republican and Democrat! Next year
shall be of age and shall my first vote
VETERANS son.
NJ. 1O2 TdHd0JHtdre.. Broohlyn. DEC II, 1857
1t is the same difference essentially which has
existed in the past between Democrat and Il
Tcdcralist, or between a Democrat and a Wing.
From the foundation Of the Government there
have been two parties, one Of which has de-
sired less and the other more legislation on
constructive issues of National reform and
progress. The FedcraliSts desired to arm the
National Government with requisite authority
over the States so as to insure It's preservation.
The Democrats opposed such legislation as IN
volvng a dangerous degree Of Capitalization.
The Fcdcralist Secretary of the Treasury, Alex
andcr Hamilton. proposed in one Of his earliest
reports comprehensive scheme for the dcvcl-
opmcnt of home industries, and the Wings in
later times under Henry Clay became the cham
pions of tariff legislation. Albert Galatin, the
first great Democratic fnancicr was Il Free
Trader and his party at every stage Of It's his
tory has shown hostility to National industries.
Tho Wings and the Republicans have de-
mandcd increasingly constructive legislation
for the nurture and maintenance Of home manu-
features. The Democrats have wanted no
legislation Of this nature; and whenever 4
tariff system has been established they have
cndcavorcd strcnuously to overthrow it.
The Republican party was recruited from the
ranks of the Wings and Free SoiicrS, whose
conscicnccS rcvoltcd against slavery as legal
lied institution in free country. 1t demanded
legislation against system Of human bondage
degrading alike to masters and slaves. The
Democratic party from the beginning Of It's
history until the Emancipation Proclamation
vas opposed to such legislation. When
civil war burst upon tho country il was still
tho defender Of the siavc-Owning oigarchy
and precisely as it had opposed the FcdcralIst
doctrine Of strong, centralized National Gov
crnmont il resisted cocrCO- # the Southern
States in the first instance, and for four years,
while the armies were in the field was uni
formly hostile to Legislation for the vigorous
and successful conduct Of the war The Nor
rli Tariff. the LcgalTcndcr Act. the cStab
liShmcnt Of the National banks emancipation
and the Constitutional Amendments, the re-
construction policy and specie resumption were
distinctiycy Republican achievements in con
structive legislation. The Democratic party
was opposed to each and every demand for
more legislation. 1t wanted no legislation
What the Democratic party has been in the
past il remains to this day-thc party that is
opposed heart and soul to cgi> in behalf
OF National interests and social and political
reforms. Under Republican tariff legislation
thousands Of industries have been established
and American progress has become the marvel
of Chrstcndom. The Democratic panty stands
to-day for the repeal Of that lcgislation-thc
foundation Of the Nations present prosperity.
The Republican party stands for the protection
Of those industries by legislation, and also for
the protection Of what should be the most
sacred interest in the sight Of every true man
the American home Since the Maine Law
was enacted a generation ago that party has
been in sympathy with every legislative at
tempt for the restriction or suppression Of the
drink evil. In States where prohibition amend
mcnts have been carried, the Republicans have
supplied the votes. In States where high
license laws have been proposed or enacted,
the same party has been the active agent Of
social reform. The Democratic party. true to
its obstructive instincts has been the unsWcIy-
ing opponent Of legislation Of any kind for the
restriction Of liquor traffic and the suppress
sion Of intempciancc and all the blghting evils
Of drink 1t never was known to vote against
a barrel Of whSkcy.
Before our young friend casts his first vote
next year let him weigh well this fundamental
difference between the party that wants lcgls-
Iation and the party that wants no legislation
whenever issues involving the highest interests
OF the Nation are raised. The Democratic
party to-day is, as it has ever been, opposed to
legislation by which National security, com
mcrcial prosperity and social and political re-
form arc promoted The Republican party
has always favored progressive legislation